Fascinated by phytoplankton

Rachel Foster, professor at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences. Photo: Sören Andersson

“I work on the small unicellular and multicellular marine phytoplankton that are important for both Carbon and Nitrogen cycles, and I am particularly interested in phytoplankton that team up and form symbioses or partnerships. Sometimes these are permanent partnerships, temporary or in the process of forming. These symbioses are largely unstudied so the field is quite wide open, and exciting.”

Why this particular topic?

“During my first ocean expeditions, my PhD advisor taught me how to identify different phytoplankton by their autofluorescence using basic epifluorescence microscopy. It was during these cruises I became fascinated by phytoplankton and in particular planktonic symbioses. Many of these modern-day examples are reminiscent of the ancient primary endosymbiotic event which gave rise to the chloroplasts of plants we observe today. This really spurred my enthusiasm, and since then I have been studying various different types of symbioses and other phytoplanktonic interactions.”

How does your research contribute to society?

“On a larger scale, these phytoplanktonic populations we research are extremely important for mitigating climate change. They are highly active in photosynthesis and can form large expansive blooms around for example 1000’s km in the open sea. After they bloom, they sink and bury the fixed carbon from their photosynthesis to the sea floor, which is good for reducing green-house gas emissions (CO2). Additionally, in some of the symbioses we study, the symbionts are N2 fixers and they provide nitrogen to their partners, but also to the surrounding community. As such they are fertilizers of the sea which also contribute to more production and sequestration of carbon.”  

This year's Inauguration and conferment ceremony in the Stockholm City Hall will take place on 29 September. Photo: Ingmarie Andersson

Inauguration and Conferment ceremony in the City Hall

Rachel Foster is one of the new professors who were employed during 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023. All new professors who took office during this period are invited to the Inauguration and conferment ceremony in the Stockholm City Hall 29 September 2023. The professorial installation is the occasion when the new professors are welcomed to the university and their different subject areas are brought to attention.
 

More information about Rachel Foster's research.